Student Dies in Calif. College Arson Fire
UPDATE: The victim who died in the fire has been identified as Jacob Mathews, 21, and officials have determined he died by suicide, reports CBS Los Angeles.
MISSION VIEJO, Calif. — Monday’s fire in a lecture hall in the Business and General Studies Building at Saddleback College that left several classrooms damaged and one student dead was caused by arson, according to fire investigators.
The student suffered second- and third-degree burns, Mission Viejo Patch reports. Fire officials are trying to determine whether the deceased student started the blaze, which began around 6:30 a.m. near an air conditioning unit, San Juan Capistrano Patch reports. The fire caused $400,000 worth of damage to the structure and contents.
As a result of the blaze, school officials had to relocate classes usually held on the second and third floors of the building.
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